Faculty Spotlight: Carol Carlson-Nofsinger

Carol Carlson-NofsingerProgram: Paralegal Studies

When Carol Carlson-Nofsinger was an undergraduate, she was inspired by a professor
who urged her to continue her education.

“We talked about my strengths and decided law school would be a great path for me
to pursue,” said Carlson-Nofsinger, who selected the Loyola University of Chicago
School of Law. “Once I was there, I gravitated toward real estate classes. My first
job was working primarily in real estate and corporate law, and I enjoyed working
with clients on these issues.”

After practicing law for a year, Carlson-Nofsinger decided to give back by taking
a part-time teaching job at Roosevelt University.

“At the law firm where I worked, I would train paralegals. So when a position came
up to teach paralegals, I felt it was a perfect fit for me,” she said.

Since 1997, she has taught part-time at College of DuPage, first in the Real Estate
program and then in the Paralegal Studies program after it was created, and she currently
holds the lecturer position in the Paralegal program. She believes that educational
opportunities should be accessible and affordable for everyone and that the lifelong
learning process should never end.

“I tell my students regularly that an education is never wasted, even though they
may end up pursuing other careers and goals unrelated to their discipline,” she said.
“I want to see them succeed, grow professionally and eventually give back to the community.”

Carlson-Nofsinger credits the Paralegal Studies program and coordinator Sally N. Fairbank
for giving students experiences that they would not have in other programs. These
include unique courses like “Drafting Legal Documents,” which Carlson-Nofsinger teaches,
and the Paralegal Portfolio Expo, during which program graduates and practicum completers
demonstrate what they’ve learned through their portfolios, which she helps to review.

In addition, she helped to develop and currently teaches “Contract Law,” “Real Property
Law,” “Distressed Real Estate: Foreclosures, Short Sales, Bankruptcy and Taxes” and
“Introduction to Paralegal Studies” at College of DuPage. She also teaches classes
that help real estate agents prepare for the Illinois real estate broker license exam.

For the 2013-2014 academic year, Carlson-Nofsinger was named College of DuPage’s Overall
Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Member.

One of her greatest joys is hearing from her students after they have graduated and
learning of their successes, whether it’s working in a law firm or selling real estate.
In fact, Carlson-Nofsinger still corresponds with students from the courses she taught
at Roosevelt.

“There’s so much reward in helping clients satisfy their legal needs, but teaching
sparks a passion in me,” she said. “I’ve practiced law for so long that I feel I have
a wealth of experience to bring to the classroom.

“Many of my students have been outsourced or downsized and need to find new jobs.
When they enroll in the program, they work so hard and are both excited and positive
about starting a new career. I’m glad that I can play a role in helping them do so.”

College of DuPage Addison Center

College of DuPage Addison Center is located in the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD) on the east side of Swift Road, north of North Avenue and south of Army Trail Road. Swift Road is approximately 3/4 mile west of Route 53 or I-355.

College of DuPage Lisle location

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College of DuPage Naperville Center

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College of DuPage Westmont Center

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